Hope of the World – John 17:13-21

THE CHURCH CALLED IN

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

John 17:13-21 NASB

13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

OUTLINE

Express Joy (v. 13)

Endure Hate (v. 14-16)

Expose Sin (v. 17-19)

Explain God (v. 20-21)

QUESTIONS

In Genesis 3, what did the entrance of sin do to community in the Garden of Eden? How have you seen this continue in community around you?

In what ways have you been hurt or harmed by community? What has been the result in how you view community? What do you think Jesus is calling you to do with pouring into and being part of community?

In what ways have you tried to do “solo Christianity?” When we try to make Christianity a solo sport, how does this distort the picture for the church that Jesus intended?

What are your major objections to connecting in community groups and serving His body? What are the real reasons you avoid these? What would it look like to repent and take a step of faith toward knowing others and being known?